Foldable chair with retractable armrests

Abstract

A foldable chair has an armrest retracting structure that includes two plate elements placed below each armrest, each plate element having a guide slot with a linear section and a reverse turn section. A first pivotal axle passes through the plate elements and connects with the front leg frame. A support beam has an end through which a second pivotal axle is mounted, the second pivotal axle being connected with the front leg frame. An opposite end of the support beam is secured in the slots through a bolt. By moving the support beam, the armrest can be deployed or retracted. When the bolt is lodged in the reverse turn section, the armrest can be locked in the deployed position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention generally relates to a foldable chair, and more particularly, to a foldable chair having selectively retractable and extendable armrests.[0003]2. The Prior Arts[0004]Metallic foldable chairs currently commercialized usually do not have armrests to facilitate storage by allowing placement of the collapsed chairs parallel with each other. Other available designs with armrests usually consist of foldable chairs formed by assembling lightweight a chair frame with a plastic fabric. Such structures usually include multiple folding sections, more particularly at the armrests to facilitate storage. However, owing to the many folding sections, the structure of the chair frame becomes more complex, and the folding structure at the armrests is usually not applicable for the above-described metallic foldable chair.[0005]FIG. 8 shows a conventional metallic foldable chair provided with an armrest retracting str...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]One objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable chair that allows a user to desirably retract or extend the armrests while the chair is unfolded.

[0008]Another objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable chair that can fold and retract the armrests to a position parallel with the chair body also in a folded position. Storage of the chair is thereby facilitated by allowing placement of multiple similar chairs parallel with one another.

[0010]The armrest retracting structure according to the present invention is simple in design. Placed between the armrest and the front leg frame, the armrest retracting structure does not increase the volume of the chair. In use, a user can decide whether to raise the armrests for use. To facilitate the operation of the chair, an instruction label may be provided on the chair to illustrate how to operate the support beam and armrests. Because a torque spring is coupled between the second pivotal link and the support beam, unfolding of the armrest by the support beam will load the spring. When the support beam disengages the locking portion, the resilient force loaded in the spring is released to move the support beam and pull the armrest downward, without the need of external force. When the armrest is laid downward in the retracted position, the surface of the armrest has a same inclination as the front leg frame. Accordingly, when the entire chair is folded, the rear leg frame, the seat and the armrests can thus be folded to lie in a plane parallel with the front leg frame. Multiple chairs folded in this manner can thus be conveniently placed parallel to one another within a minimum storage space.

Problems solved by technology

Metallic foldable chairs currently commercialized usually do not have armrests to facilitate storage by allowing placement of the collapsed chairs parallel with each other.

However, owing to the many folding sections, the structure of the chair frame becomes more complex, and the folding structure at the armrests is usually not applicable for the above-described metallic foldable chair.

As a result, the armrests are extended and retracted along with the chair body, and cannot be operated independently.

Therefore, a user having a body larger than the width between the two armrests cannot seat on the chair.

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